Public show of affection

Hi iLadies,

One thing I find pretty distinctly different between our and western culture is this public show of affection. We routinely find that western couples kiss or hug each other in public. They mention "I love you" to each other more than thousand times a day. Every phone call between them end with, "Bye, I love you".

Are Indian couples cataching on with the western trend as well? Are we out of place in a changing Indian culture? In our house, we both seem to believe that love should be in our hearts and expressed by deeds and not by words.

Pooja

Dear Pooja,
What you have said is true. Only South Indians refrain from physical contact. I can't understand why it is like that. My mother used to get wild if at all I tried to hug her. Always stern and strict. If you love somebody, they should know it, isn't it? Loving somebody verydearly but always being rude to them is not going to give any results. And in the present world, I think we should also get used to being a little physical (Not fully like Westerners, but like our own North Indian brethern).
varloo

hai folks,
i join u all in this process of expression,,i think we all should work at this...we r never shy to fight in front of the children to prove our point so they think more in the lines that marriage is to solve so many quarrels and arguments rather than love...my daughter and son in law have defied this they r so open abt the relation kissing right in the middle though it was embarrassing in the beginning we got used to it ...and it is still difficult but when they pointed out we fight so open y not love in open....it will take some time to digest but yes it is a process india is taking over....and we find lots of couples kissing in the middle of a street these days ..atleast bangalore is picking up fast on this...whether subtle or wild...regards..sunkan

Dear sunkan,
it is a good start. In our society, even old couple feel shy to hold hands. What is the use of keeping all the love bottled up and not showing? Chennai is its old self only, conservative to an extend. But nowadays we can see many young people rushing away in two wheelers, one soul, two bodies. And also lovers petting very heavily in theme parks beaches even children's park etc. I am a bit worried about this kind og show- I am sure these are unmarried people. Married people showing affection is good.
varloo

P.S.to mothers-If your son and wife copy this behaviour, do not get wild. Treat your dil also as your daughter,

Hi Varloo,

I liked your response. About lovers yet to be married, showing off too much in public. You know there is a very thin line between showing affection in public and making it look sexy in public.

Moreover, in places like Malaysia, Singapore, US and other places, even if you show off, other people in public don't stare at you. But that is not the case in India.

Affection in public like husband & wife hugging as a sign of love or appreciation is fine. But kissing in front of the public or relations (as mentioned by Sunkan), I feel would be a little embarrassing and dramatic.

Anyway, good discussion.

Malar